Convicted soldier Bradley Manning says he wants to live as a woman

8:32 AM,
Aug. 22, 2013

Supporters of Army Pfc. Bradley Manning demonstrate in front of the White House during a rally in Washington, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2013. Manning was sentenced earlier in the day to 35 years in prison for leaking classified information to WikiLeaks. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

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AP

Bradley Manning plans to live as a woman named Chelsea and wants to begin hormone therapy as soon as possible, the soldier said Thursday, a day after being sentenced to 35 years in prison for sending classified material to WikiLeaks.

Manning announced the decision in a written statement provided to NBC's "Today" show, asking supporters to refer to him by his new name and the feminine pronoun. The statement was signed "Chelsea E. Manning."

"As I transition into this next phase of my life, I want everyone to know the real me. I am Chelsea Manning. I am a female. Given the way that I feel, and have felt ...